30 Tokay Geckos rescued, two held : 11th oct12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines

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30 Tokay Geckos rescued, two held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2012: Police seized 30 young Tokay Geckos from two persons during a regular frisking at Waikhong of Thoubal district today.

The two individuals have been identified as Khumuk-cham Nganba Meitei (65) and Sagolsem Ibomcha Singh (60) .

The rare reptile species, whose monetary value in some Asian countries' smuggling markets shoots up to Rs 20 lakh per mature reptile, were found concealed inside a wooden box, said Lourembam Bishwajit Meitei, Managing Trustee of People for Animal ( PFA), Thoubal.

He said the Geckos were snared from Bupi forest in Churachanpur district, and the same were brought by the duo for rearing with a hope to reap the dividends after the reptiles attain adulthood.

The reptiles were supposed to be reared at the residence of Ibomcha at Langathel, Bishwajit quoted police as saying.

While the two individuals, who are basically labourers, have been put under Kakching police's custody, the captured Geckos are kept temporarily at the Thoubal PFA's animal shelter enclosure.

The matter has been officially informed and the reptiles physically displayed before the Kakching Range Forest Officer for doing the needful, Bishwajit said adding that the two smugglers would be produced before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal tomorrow.

The rescued Tokay Geckos

"From our side, we have also informed the matter to the Wild Life Crime Control Bureau, New Delhi," Bishwajit said.

There have been cases of intercepting Geckos from different parts of the State since the last few months and the same were released at Keibul Lamjao National Park also the home to Sangai in Bishnupur district under the aegis of Manipur Forest Department.

Because of their reported, but scientifically unproved, medicinal values to treat certain major ailments, Tokay Geckos are highly demanded in Malaysia and Philippines and some Asian countries, sources said adding that a smuggler can easily fetch upto Rs 20 lakh for a Gekco weighing 200 grams and measuring 14 inches in these countries.

Wild life experts, nevertheless, said there is no scientific proof to conclude that these reptiles possess medicinal value.

Though the Golden Gekco, which is reportedly found in South India, has been incorporated in Schedule I category, a list of endangered wild life animals, Tokay Gekco is yet to be included in any schedules.

This being the case the penalty for Tokay Gecko poachers and smugglers is not heavy, said the wild life experts.

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